Gauge tape case



Jan. 18; 1938.

v. T. LAINGOR GAUGE TAPE CASE Filed Jan. 2 1937 fiweiuo/ QAW m PatentedJan. 1 8, 1938 PATENT OFFICE GAUGE TAPE CASE Vergil T. Laingor, ArkansasCity, Kans.

Application January 2,

Claims.

My invention relates to gauge tape cases, and more particularly to anovel combination of case, measuring tape and controls designed tofacilitate the art of gauging and to further provide 5 for theprotection of the tape both in and out of use.

Gauging of the liquid contents of tanks and vats is a common practice inmany industries, and is frequently effected by lowering a graduated,flexible steel tape fitted with a pendent plumb-bob to the bottom of thetank to be gauged, followed by withdrawing the tape and noting thelength of the immersed section. In the oil industry where large numbersof exposed tanks varying in height from ten to fifty feet have to begauged, often several times daily, it is obvious that any device thatwill speed up the work and operate equally well in extremes of weatherwill be of decided value.

An attempt to achieve such effect resulted in the known combination of atape and pendent bob attached to an open reel provided with a crank andhung in an inverted U-shaped frame. While such device expedited thewithdrawal of the tape, it did not control the speed of descent (otherthan by relatively slow manual unwinding) often resulting in a snappedtape with loss of a considerable section thereof together with thependent bob. On account of there being no provision for locking thetape, it also unwound to a greater or less extent when the reel wascarried, the resultant swing of the bob frequently causing a fracture ofthe tape at the junction with the snap-latch commonly employed for'attaching the bob.

The chief object of my invention is to provide a combination of case,reel, tape, and control means, not only obviating the above objections,but possessing several new and novel features; among others to providefor a protective case carrying an enclosed spool on which the tape iswound by an exteriorly disposed crank, such case being further fittedwith a readily detachable face plate or removing the tape and providedwith a r latively wide D type of handle through which the arm may bepassed or easily held with a heavy glove. The latter improvement will beat once apparent over the smooth handle 55 readily replaceable brakeband engaging a drum of the simple reel so difiicult to hold when oil-1937, Serial No. 118,170

mounted on the same shaft as the tape spool, but separated therefrom bya median plate, arrest of the tape may be easily effected without thefingers coming in contact with the liquid being gauged, thus preventingsoiling of the handsand completely removing the tendency to thedangerous practice of hand braking with its often attendant cut, burntor frozen fingers.

Among other objects of my invention. are: to provide for a tape guardfor reinforcing the tape 1 next to the snap-latch, thus removing thedanger of breakage at such junction; to provide for a slot in the gaugecase so that when the tape is fully wound on its spool the tape guardwill enter into such slot in a snug fit; to provide for a springactuated lock pin, exteriorly manipulated, for locking the tape guardwhen drawn up into the slot, thus preventing unwinding, swinging andfracture of the tape when being carried; and to further provide for theconstruction of the various parts of the assembly from a light and toughsubstance unattacked by the liquid to be gauged; fibre, bakelite, lightmetals or their alloys being examples of'suitable materials forfabrication.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference ismade to the accompanying drawing, where Figure 1 represents a frontelevation and Figure 2 a Side elevation of one form of my invention.Figure 3-is drawn partly in rear elevation and partly in verticalcrosssection along the line AA of Figure 2; like parts being numberedthe same throughout.

Referring to the drawing, the gauge tape case proper l comprises theslab-like, coincident frames 2, 3 and interjacent median plate 4substantially in the form of an isosceles triangle; front and rearreadily detachable face plates 2' and 3'; assembly screws 5; andcarrying handle 6 integral with said frames and subtending an aperturetherein freely admitting a heavily gloved hand. If the invention is tobe used in the oil industry, these parts are preferably fabricated froma lighttough' metal, aluminum for example being very satisfactory.

Referring to Figure 1 where the face plate 2' is depicted as partly cutaway, it will be noted that frame 2 has a circular recess 1 terminatingin'the substantially tangential slot 8. In the recess I isconcentrically disposed the tape spool 9 carrying the tape lll whichpasses outwardly through the slot 8 and is commonly of the flexiblesteel type graduated in feet and inches. The tape spool 9 is rigidlymounted on the shaft II, respectively extending through the median plate2 2,100,053 4 and face plates 2' and 3', such plates serving as shaftbearings. On the external end of the tape is attached the tape guard I2formed of two stiiiening strips l2, preferably of flbre or light metal,of the same width as the tape for'approximately the length of the slot 8and terminating in the enlarged lobes l2" (see Figure 2) which preventthe guardbeing drawn too far into the slot. These enlarged lobes alsopermit the compression of the tape between the stifiening strips andwithin the bolts l3 and I3, thus obviating the necessity of perforatingthe tape and allowing its rapid replacement. The tape may be passedthrough the stirrup of the snap-latch ll carrying the plumb-bob l5, andbent back on itself before compression; or a short separate strap ofsheet metal may beemployed to suspend the snaplatch which with the bobis to be considered as illustrative of one form only of known pendentdevices, another being a water thief (not shown). The assembled guard isof such dimensions as to fit snugly into the slot 8 when the tape iscompletely wound lon the tape spool 9. -Disposed within the recess l6near the bottom of the frame 2 is the lock pin assembly comprising thecylindrical, lug-equipped sleeve l1, coiled spring 18 and shoulderedlock pin proper It terminating externally in the knob 20 and extendinginternally of suilicient length to engage the hole [9' in the left handstiffening strip I! of the tape guard l2 when the latter is seated inthe slot 8; said pin being held in position by the spring l8, thuspositively locking the guard and tape in its case. Release is effectedby pulling the knob 20 until its base clears the lug. screw l1, thengiving the knob a quarter turn and allowing the circular section of theknob base to rest on the lug screw; such movement of the knob retractingthe pin [9 sufficiently to clear the guard and place the device inreadiness for gauging.-

Referring to Figure 3, it will be observed that the frame 3 has acircular recess 2| identical with that in frame 2 terminating in. theslot 22. Disposed in the recess 2| is the brake drum 23- rigidly mountedon the extension of the shaft H and thus in effect integral therewithand tape spool 9. The crank 24 is fitted on the extension of the shaftpassing through the face plate .3 and held in position by the set screw25. Attached to the drum is the readily detachable brake band 26 ofsuitable tough and flexible material, such as hydraulic packing, andfastened to the frame by the screw 21. The band extends externallythrough the slot 22 where it is united to the brake lever 28 by thelinks 29 and pins 30. I

The brake lever operates in the slot 6' in the handle 6 substantiallyparallel thereto with pin 3| its fulcrum, its free end slidably fittingin the slot 32 in the opposite side of the handle. Such slot is providedwith the offset 32' into which the free end of the lever maybe slid whenit is desired to lock the tape at any desired point.

It will be obvious from the above description that any compression ofthe brake lever 28, easily eifected by the fingers while holding thegauge caseby the handle 5, will be transmitted to the tape l0, whosedescent can be arrested temporarily or locked at any desired pointwithout danger to the tape or injury to the operator.

Where shallow depths of liquid are to be gauged, or where cheapness inconstruction is essential, the case handle 6 may be made integral withframe 2; frame 3 (including .the brake drum) dispensed with and asuitable rear face plate installed in place of the median plate 4; suchassembly retaining the enclosed tape spool, tape guard and lock pinfeatures together with the easily held handle, but not the brakingdevice disclosed in my preferred form of the invention. The invention isnot limited to the dimensional relations or to the precise form orassembly shown in the drawing, nor to the materials mentioned assuitable for fabrication. Other advantages will doubtless occur to thoseskilled in the art and what I claim as new and desire to protect byLetters Patent is:

1. In combination with a flexible measuring tape, a case having ahandle, a tape spool and a brake drum rigidly disposed on a common shaftthus forming an integral member, said member being rotatably mounted insaid case and said tape being attached to said spool, a brake bandfrictionally engaging said drum, and a brake lever pivotally linked tosaid band, said lever be-.

ing hung within and co-planar to said handle.

2. In combination with a flexible measuring tape, a slab-like casehaving a D-shaped handle co-planar therewith, a tape spool and a brakedrum rigidly disposed on a common shaft thus forming an integral member,said member being rotatably mounted in said case and said tape beingattached to said spool, there being an extension of said shaft throughsaid case terminating in a winding crank, a ,brake band frictionallyengaging said drum, and a brake lever pivotally linked to said band,said lever being hung within and co-planar to said handle, there being alock slot in said handle adapted to receive and retain the free end ofsaid lever in a position preshaped handle co-planar therewith and enclosing a relatively large aperture, a tape spool and a brake drum rigidlydisposed on a common shaft thus forming an integral member, said memberbeing rotatably mounted in co-axially disposed chambers in said case andsaid tape being detachably attached to said spool, there being anextension of said shaft through said case terminating in a windingcrank, abrake band frictionally engaging said drum, and a brake leverpivotally linked to said band, said lever being pivotally hung in oneside of said handle and situate within and co-planar to said handle,there being a lock slot in the opposite side of said handle adapted toslidably receive and retain the free end of said lever in a positionpreventing the movement of said tape through suflicient frictlonalengagement of said band with said drum.

4. In combinationwith a flexible measuring tape, a slab-like case inwhich said tape is'rotatably mounted, a tape guard comprising twostraight stiffening strips terminating in enlarged lobes between whichthe external end of said tape is rigidly compressed, there being a slotin said case adapted to slidably receive the straight portion of saidguard, a rotatable springaotuated lock pin in said case engaging saidguard when the guard is inserted in saidslot, said pin being retractilethrough an external knob rigidly connected to said pin, and an elevatedprojection on said case on which said knob may be seated afterretraction and partial rotation, thus preventing engagement of said pinwith said guard.

5. In combination with a flexible measuring tape, a slab-like casehaving a D-shaped handle -co-pianar therewith, a tape spool rigidlydisposed on a shaft thus forming an integral mem her, said member beingrotatably mounted-in said case and said tape being deta'chably attachedto said spool, there being an extension of said shaft through said 'case.terminating in a winding crank, a tape guard. comprising two straightstifiening strips terminating in enlarged lobes. between which theexternal end of said tape is 10 rigidly compressed, there being a slotin said case adapted to slidably receive the straight portion of saidguard, a rotatable spring-actuated lock pin in said case engaging saidguard when the guard is inserted in said slot, said pin being retractilethrough an external knob rigidly connected to said pin, and an elevatedprojection on said case on which said knob may be seated afterretraction and partial rotation, thus preventing engagement of said pinwith said guard.

VERGIL T. LAINGOR.

